SNOW BLOWER SAFETY TIPS... O. C. D. STICK

Snow Blower Safety O.C.D.  STICK

As the first big snowfall comes to the Northeast for 2011, we are reminded all too often of the devastating effecets of a snowblower injury to the hand. It is important to keep a few snowblower safety tips in mind.

If you remember anything SNOWBLOWER SAFETY ....OCD STICK

(off clutch delay..use a stick)

If a snow blower jams, turn it off, disengage the clutch, delay, wait until the machine has less torque as there may be still some "spin" left in the impeller. Finally use a stick or broom handle to clear the snow. Never use hands, fingers or feet. It is often the impeller that spins very quickly in the outflow chute that causes injury as the advancing finger dosnt know that this it at the bottom of the chute.

Heavy wet snow, greater than 6 inches and in conditions greater than 28 degrees F are associated with a greater frequency of injury. The most common injury is to the middle finger in a male  with an average age of  44 years.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL..OCD STICK ( off clutch delay stick)

Put a stick on your snow blower, an old broom handle or a hockey stick tied to the hand works well. ( remember to watch out for flying debris ..your eyes.. as well)

Recommendations for safe use of a jammed snow blower snow blowers include :

1. If the snow blower jams, immediately turn it off..OFF

2. Disengage the clutch...CLUTCH

3. Wait 10 seconds after shutting of to allow Impeller Blades to stop rotating..DELAY

4. Always use a stick or broom handle to clear impacted snow. The stick most be strong enough to avoid breakage or eye injures can result from flying fragments..STICK

5. Never put your hand near chute or around blades

6. Keep all shields in place. Do not remove safety devices on machine

7. Keep hands and feet away from moving parts

8. Keep a clear head, concentrate and ...

Do not drink alcoholic beverages before using a snow blower

As physicians dedicated to the care of the Hand and Upper extremity we want to inform the public concerning the perils and pitfalls of improper snow blower use. Physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and therapists who deal with these injuries live in fear of the first heavy wet snow of the season. Invariably injuries are seen despite general knowledge that these injuries occur. These safety tips cannot guarantee against injury but hopefully if you are reading these or even better spreading these... it is one more step towards preventing these types of injuries.

News organizations and weather services can help.

Conditions that are associated with a higher incidence of injuries, hay wet snow exceeding 6 inches of accumulation and temperatures above 28 degrees Fahrenheit offer good opportunities to provide warning for the public. We need your help to reduce the incidence of these preventable injuries.

www.handctr.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZxAHx95-oM